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Sleep Apnea, Sleep Debt and Daytime Sleepiness Are Independently Associated with Road Accidents. A Cross-Sectional Study on Truck Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Sergio Garbarino
  • Paolo Durando
  • Ottavia Guglielmi
  • Guglielmo Dini
  • Francesca Bersi
  • Stefania Fornarino
  • Alessandra Toletone
  • Carlo Chiorri
  • Nicola Magnavita

Abstract

Background: Recent research has found evidence of an association between motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or near miss accidents (NMAs), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or its main medical cause, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, EDS can also be due to non-medical factors, such as sleep debt (SD), which is common among professional truck drivers. On the opposite side, rest breaks and naps are known to protect against accidents. Study Objectives: To investigate the association of OSA, SD, EDS, rest breaks and naps, with the occurrence of MVAs and NMAs in a large sample of truck drivers. Methods: 949 male truck drivers took part in a cross-sectional medical examination and were asked to complete a questionnaire about sleep and waking habits, risk factors for OSA and EDS. Results: MVAs and NMAs were reported by 34.8% and 9.2% of participants, respectively. MVAs were significantly predicted by OSA (OR = 2.32 CI95% = 1.68–3.20), SD (OR = 1.45 CI95% = 1.29–1.63), EDS (OR = 1.73 CI95% = 1.15–2.61) and prevented by naps (OR = 0.59 CI95% = 0.44–0.79) or rest breaks (OR = 0.63 CI95% = 0.45–0.89). NMAs were significantly predicted by OSA (OR = 2.39 CI95% = 1.47–3.87) and SD (OR = 1.49 CI95% = 1.27–1.76) and prevented by naps (OR = 0.52 CI95% = 0.32–0.85) or rest breaks (OR = 0.49 CI95% = 0.29–0.82). Conclusions: When OSA, SD or EDS are present, the risk of MVAs or NMAs in truck drivers is severely increased. Taking a rest break or a nap appear to be protective against accidents.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergio Garbarino & Paolo Durando & Ottavia Guglielmi & Guglielmo Dini & Francesca Bersi & Stefania Fornarino & Alessandra Toletone & Carlo Chiorri & Nicola Magnavita, 2016. "Sleep Apnea, Sleep Debt and Daytime Sleepiness Are Independently Associated with Road Accidents. A Cross-Sectional Study on Truck Drivers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0166262
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166262
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    Cited by:

    1. Sergio Garbarino & Ottavia Guglielmi & Matteo Puntoni & Nicola Luigi Bragazzi & Nicola Magnavita, 2019. "Sleep Quality among Police Officers: Implications and Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Ari Min & Minkyung Kang & Hye Chong Hong, 2021. "Sickness Presenteeism in Shift and Non-Shift Nurses: Using the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Anna Tzortzi & Melpo Kapetanstrataki & Vaso Evangelopoulou & Panagiotis Behrakis, 2021. "Driving Behavior That Limits Concentration: A Nationwide Survey in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Sergio Garbarino & Ottavia Guglielmi & Walter G Sannita & Nicola Magnavita & Paola Lanteri, 2018. "Sleep and Mental Health in Truck Drivers: Descriptive Review of the Current Evidence and Proposal of Strategies for Primary Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Sergio Garbarino & Giovanni Tripepi & Nicola Magnavita, 2020. "Sleep Health Promotion in the Workplace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Kuo-Tung Huang & Yung-Che Chen & Chia-Cheng Tseng & Huang-Chih Chang & Mao-Chang Su & Ting-Ya Wang & Yong-Yong Lin & Yi-Xin Zheng & Jen-Chieh Chang & Chien-Hung Chin & Chang-Chun Hsiao & Meng-Chih Lin, 2020. "Aberrant DNA methylation of the toll-like receptors 2 and 6 genes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Nicola Luigi Bragazzi & Guglielmo Dini & Alessandra Toletone & Alborz Rahmani & Alfredo Montecucco & Emanuela Massa & Alessia Manca & Ottavia Guglielmi & Sergio Garbarino & Nicoletta Debarbieri & Paol, 2018. "Patterns of Harmful Alcohol Consumption among Truck Drivers: Implications for Occupational Health and Work Safety from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, May.
    8. Xinyong Zhang & Chaoyue Zhao & Zhaoxiang Niu & Shike Xu & Dawei Wang, 2021. "Job Insecurity and Safety Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Insomnia and Work Engagement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-15, January.
    9. Nicola Magnavita & Sergio Garbarino, 2017. "Sleep, Health and Wellness at Work: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-18, November.

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